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Lake Reports

Folsom Lake
Folsom Lake By As the warmer weather begins to show, it has been hard to think about anything other than springtime fishing. I have been getting my money’s worth from my Ca State Park pass at Folsom Lake over the past few weeks and can say the fishing has been heating up as quickly as the weather. Water temperatures have gone up significantly, with afternoon temperatures hitting between the upper 50’s to low 60’s resulting in the fish following that warmer, shallow water. On my most recent outing, spending only approximately 3 hours on the water, my mom and I were able to put close to 20 fish in the boat. We were targeting flats in 4-12 feet throwing jerk baits, taking advantage of the shallow fish that are looking to feed heavily before the spawn. As for the specifics, I don’t believe color was a factor, but our choices were Ayu and Shad. Something to note about throwing a jerk bait is that your setup can make or break your success. I prefer a lighter rod with a parabolic bend, 10lb Sunline Crank FC, and of course my favorite jerk bait with some fresh Owner trebles. Folsom Lake has had a poor reputation in recent years, but last year was the best I had ever seen it and it’s on track to repeat or be even better this year. Don’t be surprised to catch a limit of 2.5+lb spots and even a 4-6lb largemouth on trips this spring. If you’re wanting to learn more about the fishing on Folsom Lake, I am now a licensed guide and have some open days in the upcoming months. You can find me at @Luke Johns Fishing on Facebook and Instagram or send an email to lukejohnsfishing@gmail.com
Oroville Lake
Oroville Lake By BAM Oroville Predictions with Alex Klein Fresh off of the Trail's debut at Lake Shasta, BAM Tournaments blasts off into the second stop of the Pro/Am division's 2024 season at Lake Oroville on March 15 -17. It is anticipated that the early spring bass fishing competition will hit the second-largest Northern California reservoir just after another multi-day rainstorm, and if the weatherman is right, anglers be welcomed with mild temps that include highs in the low-70s and nighttime lows hovering around 50 degrees. With less than two weeks to go, the lake is at 83 percent of capacity, with an open spillway. Lake local, Alex Klein and former Oroville Pro/Am champion, shared some of his insights on how the lake would fish. "The bite could be really good after the storms," Klein began. "New water is always good, so it could be really good; but they are dropping the lake too. "If they are letting more water out of the lake than is coming in, most of the time the fish will go out and suspend off the bank. If there is more rain coming in than what is going out they won't suspend as much; but after this last big storm, the lake was already full and they started dropping it as fast as they could to have room to capture more rain and the snowmelt." Klein confirmed the lake has been fishing well all year and predicted that it would take 14- to 14 1/2-pounds per day to win. A sizeable three-day accomplishment considering when he won an early-season Pro/Am in 2023 at the same fishery, it was with a three-day, tournament total of 39.89. Although spots are predominant at Oroville, there are some big largemouth available for the taking. The lake record is documented at 14 pounds, 15 ounces and while a news-maker like that hasn't been seen in awhile, double-digits were caught as recently as last year in the spawn. Klein noted the lake was currently in a pre-spawn pattern. He anticipates the lake's water temp will have to come up to the mid-50's before some of the big spawners will be caught. "That is when the bigger baits will come into play - the big swimbaits, and the A-rigs," he added. Klein feels there will have to be a two-prong approach of finesse and reaction to triumph. "You'll have to get a big bite or two on a reaction bait, and find a school of quality fish that you can catch finessing throughout the day," he said. His advice for a backseater was a good attitude, willingness to learn and being ready to have fun. His bait suggestion was undoubtedly a drop-shot. "It's a co-angler go-to," he said.

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